Researchers have created a new pain-relief tablet from a chemical in sea snails' saliva, which they utilize to catch their prey.

It was said to be as effectual as morphia for allaying the most dangerous types of pain but without the added risk of addiction.

Marine cone snails create saliva, which includes a lethal dose of peptide toxins to assist the slow-moving creatures catch prey.

They inject passing victims with needle-like teeth, which shoot out of their mouths.

Boffins have already transmuted one of the chemicals into a painkiller for human beings. But, it has to be injected straightly into the spinal cord that limits how much of it can be utilized.

Now Australian researchers, headed by David Craik of the University of Queensland, have created a form of the pain pill, which can be taken orally.

The modified chemical was found to lessen harshe pain in rats at a much lower dosage than existing medicines.

But, peptides were regarded as poor drugs as they were not stable and could not be taken orally.

This could be set to change after the team led by Craik found they could stabilise the amino-acid chains by synthetically lashing the head to the tail.

The drug could potentially revolutionise the treatment of the most severe forms of pain and Craik is keen to take his research further. (With Inputs from Agencies)